Fable II is the highly anticipated sequel to the popular Xbox title from Lionhead Studios and esteemed game designer Peter Molyneux. Unfortunately, it's also the game we hope future developers will remember the next time they think about rushing out a product that isn't quite ready. Fable II is a game that's full of potential: ambitious gameplay, an intriguing storyline, and a sprawling world. On the other hand, it's also full of imperfections such as carelessly designed menus, glitchy quests, and a virtually unplayable online cooperative mode. In essence, Fable II is an artistic, well-intentioned mess.

The game is set in Albion, some 500 years after Fable. There are plenty of insider moments to appeal to fans of the original, but you are an entirely different character and the world is a very different place. You are a street-urchin-turned-hero seeking vengeance by killing the evil guy whose obligatory thirst for world domination has had a devastating and personal impact on your life. Oh, and of course, you are somehow the one fated to defeat him. The story is unsurprising fantasy fare, but is actually told with ingenuity and care. Some moments are awkwardly executed, but others shine out like finely directed cinematic scenes. While you may not be riveted by the narrative, there is reason enough to stay tuned just to watch it unfold.

If you're lucky enough to avoid the game-ending bugs, there's plenty of fiery undead battles to be had in Fable II.

If that doesn't interest you, there's a sizable population and a modest expanse of a world to explore. Sadly, this is where the game starts to fall apart. The developers at Lionhead have created a title that is practically begging to be explored in any way you choose. However, the appearance of an open world is just that: an appearance. Do not go into Fable II expecting a truly open environment like what you might find in Grand Theft Auto. Every area has acute limitations and you are intended to remain within them. So, while Albion is yours to explore, you may do so only in the paths designated beforehand.

The limitations continue when you consider the game's so-called branching paths. Much of the promotion for Fable II revolved around the idea that you could choose how to play and that your choices would impact the world. Yet, Fable II fails to live up to expectations when it comes to your character's impact on these elements. In reality, the choices you make all come down to a binary decision: "Yes or no?", "A or B?" Only a couple of decisions really have a big impact and none of them change the main plot of the story. It's a limitation that causes Fable II to lose some of its magic.

While the lack of exploration is a problem, what really plagues Fable II are the devastating, game-ending glitches. The most common bug occurs if you cut short a conversation with one of the NPCs. If you make that simple mistake, it will be impossible to continue the game's main plot. There are other glitches like it; many of them without known causes. The bugs are all the more unforgivable considering the game's archaic save system, which only allows you a single save slot for each character. You cannot even copy your save to a memory card. This is an unfortunate design choice in a game that encourages you to experiment and make hard decisions. But it is absolutely unacceptable in a title that's also full of glitches. If you "activate" a glitch and the auto save kicks in, you have no choice but to start over from scratch.

If you're able to play through the game without incident, you'll find an experience that is riddled with other minor flaws and shortcomings, but is ultimately satisfying. Most of the story and characters are well-written and well-acted. The character models, animations, cut scenes, and environments are all beautifully designed and implemented. The sound is crisp and artistically chosen - with the possible exception of all those nagging townsfolk who ask you for a wedding ring day and night.

As an RPG, there is much to celebrate and much to criticize. The world does manage to seem large, despite your character's inability to truly travel. Many of the dungeons share a common atmosphere, but there's enough variation to keep you interested. Though you're intended to spend time exploring the world, there is surprisingly little variety in the enemies you'll encounter. The excitement comes from using your new skills and abilities to defeat the same enemies you've dispatched an hour ago.

As for the skills and abilities you earn, this is done through a traditional experience and leveling system. The one twist is that you'll gain not just generic XP, but trait-specific XP as well. Skill, strength, and will XP can be combined with generic XP to purchase upgrades to your melee attack, ranged attack, and magic. There are a lot of good abilities to choose from, but there is one noteworthy flaw in the system: once you've purchased an ability, you can no longer check to see how powerful it is. This is just one shortcoming in the uninformative menu system that will likely annoy longtime RPG fans.